3 Ways To Get Your Cat’s Litter Box Under Control

Cat owners are well aware of the joys that feline friends bring. Despite their aloof reputation, most cats are sensitive little companions who enjoy snuggling up to you as much as you relish those cozy purrs. They’re independent and perfect for those who can’t always take their pets out to do their business.

The rule of thumb is to have at least one litter box for every cat, and ideally one extra. This can, of course, pose challenges for those who live in small spaces or worry about odours—but fear not! Cat litter boxes and accessories have come a long way, and with a few simple tips you can make the litter box experience more pleasant for both you and your kitty.

1. Contain the litter with a hooded enclosure

Stepping on litter that’s been knocked out of the box is never a fun surprise. Cats like to dig in and kick the litter around as they do their business—a feline instinct from the wild, where cats bury their waste to avoid attracting predators. Using a hooded litter box enclosure helps keep the litter in the box and off your floor, meaning less cleanup for you. The Fresh 4 Life Eco-Friendly Green Hooded Litter Box is an affordable choice that’s made from 90 per cent post-consumer material (and that’s 100 per cent recyclable) and includes a replaceable filter to help with odour.

There are a few reasons you might not be able to use a hooded box, though. Very young or very old cats may find it hard to get in and out of (this is also true for kitties with mobility issues); some cats prefer an open, uncovered litter pan; or a hooded box simply may not work for your space. Instead, a high-sided or rimmed pan can still help to reduce any outside-of-the-box messes. Try the Fresh 4 Life Eco-Friendly Green Litter Pan—its low entry will work for cats of any age or health condition. The box is also environmentally friendly, with 100 per cent post-consumer material used.

2. Control odour with a Litter Genie

The main concern with a cat litter box is typically the odour. You should be cleaning the box regularly, but depending on your living situation, you might have to wait until garbage day to toss the poop with the trash, which obviously is not ideal. Avoid the stink buildup by using the same solution that parents of babies do: get a Litter Genie! Using the same concept as a Diaper Genie, the Litter Genie Easy Roll Pail has a locking mechanism to trap odours inside (and can hold up to eight days of soiled litter from one cat). It’s a super convenient and discreet way to make sure you’re scooping regularly without also having to empty the trash every day—especially helpful if you live in a small space or your litter box is in a room you want to be odour-free (like a laundry room or bathroom).

Don’t forget to grab the Litter Genie Easy Roll Refill—the odour-locking technology in each bag makes sure that odour doesn’t sneak through to your living space. 

3. Reduce daily maintenance with a self-cleaning litter box

If scooping daily is difficult, a self-scooping cat litter box is the high-tech fix you need. The box does all the work, making sure you don’t have to scoop, clean or refill it for weeks. The PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box, for example, has a sensor to identify when your cat is in the box and won’t self-clear until they’re done. Plus, it monitors how often your cat uses the box, which can alert you to any health concerns if it’s too frequent—or not frequent enough.

Find your litter box solutions at your local Pet Valu and minimize mess, maintenance and odours with ease.